Vevo is the latest app to 'retire' from Windows Phone (update)

For some reason, Windows Phone just cannot catch a break lately. Over the weekend, a few reports have come in noting that Vevo, used for watching "premium official music videos", is no longer available for Windows Phone.

Vevo (Vevo.com) was last updated in June of last year after getting a major overhaul in May to version 3.5. We gave the app and service high marks for design and fluidity in our review at the time.

That is not to say there weren't complaints. Some reviews noted frequent app closures. Still, the app did maintain a solid 4.1 stars (out of 5) from nearly six thousand reviews. Vevo went on later that year to release an app for the Xbox One.

As to why the app has been pulled, it is not yet evident. The app was working for most people and seemed to enjoy relatively high ratings. The notion that Vevo would remove this app in anticipation of Windows 10 is extremely odd.There is no technical reason for doing so (developers can just re-upload to their existing accounts to maintain Store presence and their past ratings/reviews).

On accident?

However, we should caution that Vevo may have pulled accidentally. A similar situation happened to the TeamViewer app a few weeks ago, which later returned. Likewise, Microsoft's own Extras + Info system app was unavailable for about ten days presumably due to a significant bug or issue.

Reader comments

Vevo is the latest app to 'retire' from Windows Phone (update)

The funny thing about Apple and Android fan boys is that those mobile platforms have been around for years and yet they try to talk down on the newer WP. As far as vevo goes why need a separate app for videos that you can watch on YouTube?.. If you're into the terrible music of today. I'll take my phone/camera over ios or Android any day all day.

So if they are keeping the App for Windows 8.1 tablet and PC then you can infer that they have a team that builds and supports an app for 8.1. That would tell me that rather then having people focusing on WP 8.1 app they pulled it and probably have them working on a build for Windows 10. If the apps work across devices then Vevo will be back for Windows 10 and they are not investing any more time in WP 8.1. I am pretty sure this is what many other developers are doing too. MS is starting to get a good name again and I think everyone is aiming for Windows 10 to be the next big thing. I just wish developers would say this when they 'retire' apps. It would have been better for VEVO to just say they were 'retiring' the WP 8.1 app to focus on creating a Win10 universal app to debut with the O/S later this year. Instead of taking what fans they had on WP 8.1 and pissing them off, they could have made them excited for something coming out in the future....

Once again we have an app leaving WP and once again, the same arguments and the same people show up. Rinse and repeat. There are those that make very fair points in regards to areas MS can improve, but then you have those filling the comments with over the top reactions.

We ignore the fact that in each case, different reasons have been in play, not all a result of a 'lack of interest'. Also, many of those that will fill up this thread will not take into account apps that are added at the same time, or the major apps that do recieve proper update support. Maybe someone should do a report on the ratio of apps leaving WP to those arriving. You could then compare that ratio to the ratio on other platforms.

My guess is that it feels more significant for WP because of its app market size vs Apple and Google but the actual numbers are close.

WP is dying though, just not in the way some insist it is right now. Windows 10 is replacing it. MS has been on a long term path to unification that started with Windows 8/WP8. This is simply the next step on that path. More shared code, more flexibility between devices, more robust feature sets(i.e. more mature api). It's not been as quick as anyone wanted, nor has it been perfect, but improvements have come with each release. Windows 10 garuantees nothing but presents a better chance of success in all areas.

Like the Windows Phone experience but it's a niche player and will be in North America for a quite awhile.

I have/use two smart phones: iPhone 6 which is my main phone and a Lumia 928 which is my "burner" so to speak. The iPhone is on T-Mobile; the 928 on Verizon. I essentially do everything app-wise on the iPhone and not out of choice but necessity. I work in media and you simply cannot match - or even come close - to the number of quality of apps available on iOS. Android has a good selection but I'm just not a fan and use my old Moto G as little more than a Chromecast streaming device. My last three significant downloads were ReutersTV [not available on Android/Windows] Supper [not available on Android/Windows] and Meerkat [not available of Android/Windows]. So a lack of quality apps is not just a Windows problem but it's often portrayed as one. Sure, Android finally catches up after developers get their iOS app out, but Android users face the same connumdrum as Windows users: slow, late, never adoption.

The issue is less the platform and more the users. Apple has demonstrated - and catered to - a built-in audience of users who simply spend more money on their phones and apps. And that, folks means more money in the pockets of developers. A lot more.

I think Microsoft's phone future is with low-end devices in emerging markets and enterprise. The same way BlackBerry does exceeding well in Malyasia and other niche markets is ultimately where Microsoft is going to find their success. But if you're waiting for people to stand in line to buy a "flagship" Windows 10 phone at the local mall, I think you're deluding yourself.

But once Win10 comes out won't all apps be universal? So the app they have on the PC will also work on my windows phone? I'm confused why companies are leaving windows when they know Win10 is coming out.

WP has 3 flagships: Lumia 930, HTC M8 and Lumia 1520. They are more flagships than any iPhone is or was.
In 2010 I've switched from iPhone to Galaxy S for Google Maps Navigation even if people were complaining about lack of apps. I really didn't care, I had the apps I wanted, I didn't care I hadn't the apps I didn't wanted. I will go further and say that I didn't care I hadn't the apps others said I must want. Like Instagram for example. Nobody really needs Instagram when you have Facebook. Nobody really needs Twitter when you have Facebook. Nobody really needs Foursquare when you have Facebook. And what I am afraid most is that in the near future nobody will need Google Maps because of Facebook (I have 70k edits in Google Map Maker, I'm a RER and an Advocate so I know what I'm saying). When I've switched to WP 8.1 from Galaxy 4 I I've missed Google Maps, Google+, Google Hangouts, Swipe and Dropbox. But in short time I've realized that I don't really need them on my smartphone because I have them anyway on my PC and my Nexus Tablet. And on my phone I've started using Outlook, OneDrive, Skype, Flow, Mytube and Gmaps combined with Here Drive. After 9 months I don't need and don't use anymore Dropbox, Google+ (my Google+ page has 600k views btw) or Android Google Maps. Why? Because they are not on WP.
If Windows Phone dies, no new Lumia phones to buy, then I'll switch to iPhone or Galaxy but guess what: I'll use the same Microsoft products because they are there and I have them on my PC also.
Another thing: I will switch from Vodafone to another carrier because Vodafone doesn't have My Vodafone app in Windows Store while the other carrier has 3 apps in Windows Store and this shows me respect for clients. And I would switch banks for that reason in an instant.
It really doesn't matter for me if Windows Phone disappear or not (I will be sad for a month or two) but Microsoft is doing the right thing offering all applications and services to all platforms. Not publishing on a platform because of fanboism or because they only sold 35 million units in a year is really stupid.
I never used Vevo and now I know why: they doesn't have a clue how to get to their audience.

So all the MS apps are on Android and IOS....great. So they should be...as should Youtube for WP. I won't be spending double my money to downgrade my 1520 to an iPhone just because they sell well to sheep....despite the developers throwing apps at the saturated market. Android.....been there done that, no thanks. I don't need 10 SMS and email apps or a handful of launchers slowing the device down.....or the accompanying plethora of shit looking skins. If you do, go for it.....leave us in peace. If we want an iphone/android device...we'll get one. Don't be scared of our platform...enjoy your own

I have been reading the comments on articles such as this for awhile now, and all I see is negativity. Comments like "Windows Phone is dead", "Why doesn't Microsoft give us a flagship?" "What's with all these cheaper phones?" etc. etc. etc.

For starters, in my opinion, Windows Phone wont die, it will actually grow with the release of WP10. If a developer pulls an app, it's at their own loss, as there are hundreds and thousands of WP's being used every day around the world. Why are they being used more than people know? Its because Microsoft has their strategy right - make and sell phones at a budget level to get them into as many hands as possible. More consumers using them, means more marketshare for Microsoft, and more marketshare means you will see flagship devices.

To put it simply - cheaper phones = more sales = more money for Microsoft to reinvest into WP to build bigger and better.

A lot of people are saying that Win10 and universal apps are going to fix everything, but realistically, devs aren't going to be making anything for Win10 until they see that it's worth their time. It's going to take 12-18 months before we start seeing any decent amount of apps coming through (Win8 store is still pretty sparse as it is).

Ok I'm hoping vevo comes back as a universal app but for myself I'm not going back to android and ios is stagnant. WP has the best user interface and over the past two years been the most innovative.
So I'm on the platform till the end.
Every mobile software house google buys shuts the door on wp, so I agree with ms strategy in taking the service market fight to them. Cortana on android means no data info for google which can only be a good thing.

2 - Equipment is very, very good - Nokia Lumia 920 owner since the beginning days

3 - Integration is good

4 - Apps I use regularly are mostly rated 4 on a 5 scale (but there is a disconnect, see #5)

5 - Microsoft not communicating well with its base (not the tech wizard early adopters, rather devoted mainstream Windows Phone users who mainly are pleased with what we have so far) - What's coming up for us? Lumia platform was superb under Nokia. What is MS going to do going forward with the equipment legacy bought from Nokia? Are there ANY plans whatsoever for firming up app development and production/release efforts? Lots of missing commercial-grade apps, such as those that work with banks, ISPs, libraries, media outlets, news syndicators, public and private business, sports teams, retail stores, educational entities, Fortune 500 businesses, automation and control, and a host of other categories.

6 - Guess my own solution to this would be to wait things out to see if MS gets a clue about continuity/longevity/customer service. My 920 should hold out for a while as they get they get things sorted out, right? They will get things sorted, right?

Seriously though, I am astonished by the number of anti-Microsoft commenters on a site named "Windows Central". It must be pretty boring on the other side of the pasture for some of you, because you are trolling this site big time. (Kind of wierd actually, I would think people would have better things to do with their time.)

I like my Windows Phone, if it dies, I'll move on. But as long as it has the functionality and Apps I use and need, then I'm good to go.

There are so many ways to use Vevo that this doesn't bother me. I use BOA's website for my visa account, but I never used the phone app anyway, so these rescent 3 dropped apps don't bother me.

What's more troubling though is why it bothers you people who obviously don't like or use windows phones.

I am getting extremely frustrated with this drop out situation. I am not even sure which app will be pulled out next. If this nonsense continues I don't even see a reason to stay with WP. Microsoft is slowly killing their own platform by giving away all the OS features, devs refuse to make good apps and update them regularly.. And now drop outs??? I cannot take this!!! The only thing that is keeping me on the platform is the Lumia Camera quality…. right now an Xperia Z2 or Z3 is sounds really appealing to me!!!

Hey Daniel, frankly speaking, it's good that the Vevo app has been retired. I have always enjoyed Vevo in the Windows Phone browser. If something works fine in the browser then its app is simply a diaper and a bib that I as a Windows Phone user refuse to wear.

They're not retiring the 8.1 app. In others words they don't understand the concept of a Universal app. Perhaps MS needs to save these developers from themselves and promote the power of universal apps (which don't require waiting for windows 10).

What Microsoft need are thousands of third party devs looking for their name in the lights to be wonderful third party apps if the official ones aren't staying plus an amazing web app system that can bake functionality into the apps to become native ones with little effort and maintenance

At this rate, in the next six month we will get see the following apps leaving.

1. MSN News, MSN Weather, MSN Stocks, MSN Health and Fitness.

2. OneDrive

3. Lumia Apps suite.

And Microsoft's announcement will read: "We've decided to refocus our resources to deliver a first class Microsoft Experience to iOS and Android users around the world. Windows Phone users can continue to enjoy our services via MSN.com"

We need a flagship fast. I expected a decline in market share following the Nokia merger. But not having a flagship at this point is absolutely ridiculous. Once they canceled “McLauren” they really should have had a backup plan and at the very least had something ready for MWC. If we don’t see a flagship by late summer/spring things will really start to look grim.

But seriously how many WP users are there? No, not % cuz that does not mean anything. Is it 35 million which is like the population of Canada or 350 million which is like the population of the USA? Even if its a million only wow, I would be happy to get a App to a million people.

I don't see what the confusion is all about. Google is a co-owner of VEVO and if there's a super villain in our Windows Phone Gotham City, its GOOGLE..lol They're showing their clout and if there are any other apps in the store that have ties to google, prepare to see them depart too.

You seem to imply that an app getting bad reviews would be a reason to pull it from the store. No. You think they'd pull their app from the App Store or Google Play if it got bad reviews there?

Maintaining a Windows Phone app is an investment that has to pay off. Windows Phone market share is stuck at an insufficient amount for these developers to want to continue to invest. Microsoft has failed to drive market share. Their marketing of Windows Phone has been immeasurably poor. They need to get busy, or this recent wave of app retirements will turn into Windows Phone's death spiral.

Ok so maybe windows 10 will resolve the app issue, though it seems that every company that google acquire drop wp apps. In some cases I'm relieved as I wouldn't want google knowing my bank information.
I really hope 10 brings some apps back, that said nature abhors a vacuum so maybe it could encourage more app developers.

Just bad news for windows phone... W10 won't be able to change this situation, I'm afraid... I love the UI of this OS, but that's not enough for us... I have a Lumia 920 and I'm considering to buy an Android just because I'm tired of this "market share related problems" :(

If we are expected to use mobile websites for apps! That's like saying just use a flip phone to make calls and text!
Sorry people I'm just venting hoping MS will do something!
I know I should not be posting since I already switched and
got rid of my 1520 but was still hoping to return someday.

why isn't the WP community raising a bigger, louder voice in regards to the issue of companies pulling their apps from WP? Since the new year started more and more companies are dropping out, major US banks, others refuse to work with WP at all, like Snapchat and Pebble, and yet there is no response from Microsoft addressing this ever grown problem. I mean what is it going to take for someone to notice and do something about this? instead of improving the app situation in WP is getting worse by the day!

Because it really does not help yelling about it, the ONLY thing that will help this is marketshare. Get more people to buy a WIndows Phone and these problems will go away. Everyone who has a WP device needs to do this.

I've gotten about 7 people to get a Windows Phone (who still own it) and another 10 who desided to stay on their platform because of apps....

When you think things will get better for windows phone it keeps getting worst. Vevo for windows phone is one of my favorite apps.

If I do not see any benefit from windows 10 and universal apps. I will not be purchasing another windows phone. I have been an early adopter since windows phone 7, and I have constantly been let down by Microsoft. You own so many studios is it that hard to give us good games and apps.

X86 apps better work on windows 10 for phone. Or there is no hope for this platform again. Because no matter how many half baked attempts developers make to publish apps for windows phone, they are still doing more than Microsoft and that's really sad.

Movin on something is fishy about so many apps getting unpublished lately, could google be pulling strings from behind the scenes.

Here is what i think guys: Microsoft should learn to deploy the right platform (OS) to the right market. In developped countries, when it comes to using phones (or mobile devices), people are considered to be power users, meaning when they buy phones they care about what the app store has to offer, which is different from emerging markets where people are not really using tons of apps and are more concerned about buying what's affordable. So my point is in developped countries, Microsoft should get rid of the windows phone OS, and start working on its own version of android that comes preloaded with Microsoft apps and services. Would be even better if they could just buy Cyanogenmode and preload all of its apps (onedrive, onenote, skype, etc) in it and generate revenue by selling the hardware, in this case by selling phones. Microsoft can make windows 10 on phones as beautiful as it wants but as long as its app store can't compete with iTunes and google play, we won't go anywhere, i don't even think universal apps will solve this problem. Android being open source to me means anybody can take it away from google, and i believe microsoft is well positioned to do it.

And please, Daniel Rubino i know you love Microsoft to death but when developpers tell you that they can't make enough money from their windows phone apps, you should listen instead of being very diffensive.

Ok, I get the whole "Low Windows Phone Market-Share" excuse for not making apps or pulling them. But the number of Windows users is astronomical. So why such a crap shot with apps for Windows? People just have their heads so far up Apple and Google's ass because it is the 'cool thing' that you end up with this bullshit.

Google is using their power to shut out WP. They don't care about X1 because they have no game console to compete. Marketshare is just an excuse; the advertising revenue would have easily been greater than the development costs. In fact, they already had a good Vevo app and Microsoft has created a good official YouTube app that Google blocked so the sole reason is they don't want Android to have the competition from WP.

Daniel, I get what everyone is saying. The harsh reality is the Microsoft has not done enough to market Windows phone to make it stand out, and have not done enough to get app developers to stick around. The phone lacks behind in many ways. Also the UI can use some updating. I have never been a fan of the metro design. The live tile idea is great, but its it necessary??? Not really.. I love windows phone, have supported it since it came out. I see the writing on the wall.. Its either stand out and or die. I hope Windows phone 10 will make a difference, but I'm not going to hold my breath. In the meanwhile, ill keep enjoying my Icon and see what happens.

Now that WP is dying my hope was that Microsoft would inverst in Cyanogenmod and maybe get an Android version of that OS without any scroogleware baked in. Obviously that ship has sailed now that Microsoft has decided to definitely not invest in Cyanogenmod.

As someone who dislikes iOS and would never ever use anything with scroogleware in it I'm going to be in a bit of a mess when WP finally dies.

If they are going to maintain their Windows 8.1 support on tablets and PCs...why don't they just make a universal app and have it on both? Also, why pull the app today when it works. Just don't update it. If a universal app isn't in the pipeline I'll be shocked, as it makes sense to have the app on Xbox at the very least...and if they are already supporting 8.1? Seems like a no brainer...but then again, who knows.

I'll be staying with Windows on my phone regardless of all the apps news, I personally don't use that many apps and enjoy the feel of WP...but for people who aren't me, I can see the frustration and totally understand it. Hopefully Windows 10 can help aliviate this, even if that's wishful thinking. I think Xbox UAs are the key to it all on the entertainment and gaming side of things.

Meh... Apps come and go. If you don't want a WP app then fine... How many WP users are there anyways? 50 million, 100 million or 250 million. If you are not interested in catering to a number that big then... Meh...

I never understand why some get so worked up about a specific app being there or not when the same content can be accessed via the web. I would much rather save space on my device and use a web app...I can get the same content, so what's the big deal? Especially when I can pin a specific site and have a one-touch tile take me right to the web-app.

I'd like Microsoft to combine store regions like playstore for reviews of apps and show amount of downloads. For example, on android there's nearly 200,000 reviews with up to 50,000,000 downloads. Not everyone leaves reviews. I sometimes am hesitant to download stuff without reviews as the permissions are insane and it's some unknown publisher. But if I knew how many others have downloaded it, I would figure by then fishy stuff might have been reported. But then again there's been android apps installed doing bad things that no one even noticed hehe.

The nice thing about WP is there is close to nothing in terms of malware and/or viruses coming from their Windows store. Android has quite a bit more in comparison. I've never installed an app on my WP that made me fear it would compromise my phone/data/security/ etc. Android on the other hand... Android has somewhat addressed this with the way they publish apps but even then, they still have some issues. In terms of security, Android is near the bottom compared to iOS/WP/BB. Doesn't mean they aren't working on it though (and they should).

deloa84: I think the problem is the user base is small. It's also possible things were not discovered. Think about exploits that are discovered years later that the government was exploiting and possibly others. The reason I am very cautious is because microsoft allows EVERYTHING through just to get it's app numbers up. I mean the amount of clones is ridiculous. I see a developer in Chinese writing that requires everything from phone dialer to camera controls and it's for a game that doesn't need it. And yet other games are not requesting this. We know Microsoft doesn't need to approve of in-game downloads. Think about Modern combat 5 or other games downloading extra data from their own servers. Now, get some developer that you just gave full permissions to that downloads something in-app without you knowing. The only thing that may be keeping the malware low is the popularity. There was a time when apple had no malware but now there's always articles about new malware or other stuff. The apps are secure in that they run in their own little jail so to speak. But if you give it full permissions it can still do damage.

There's nothing MSFT can do. The owners of the content aren't required to make an app available for every platform. They're not required to make their API available for third parties, so MSFT can't write a compatible app themselves. About the only thing MSFT can do in this specific instance is to complain to the US DOJ that Google is using their "monopoly" in web services to illegally kill WP (death by neglect). Good luck with that.

What we're seeing is what MSFT has dread for decades: a platform shift. Back in my day it was DOS competitors and MacOS, then Netscape's platform, then Java, etc. Windows was able to beat all of them. Unfortunately, MSFT laid an egg with Win8 ... precisely when the threat was most grave (the competitors were of equal size or larger in the case of AAPL). GOOG has their huge advertising empire (with attached web services). AAPL has their iOS empire. Those platforms will kill MSFT in the long run (why do you think Balmer spent billions on Bing and web services for all those years, he was no dummy).

My phone out performed my wife's I phone 5 she confiscates my phone so much I can barely find it to use it so she can take pics of the kiddies. People love my phone but its hard to switch once you are invested in a platform. Wait for crossplatform integration. It should help alot with sales. Window 8 as a whole had many bumps confusion at the start.

Ha I've read about Firefox OS but never actually seen one and you are saying it's going to be better than WP? Until I see it that's a tough claim you're proposing.
And yes it CAN compete with Android/iOS. It has been quite stable in comparison to android but android has made improvements. Apple's real focus seems to be higher end market. WP can cover both low end and high end. There's a reason why Google has limited it's services to nearly nothing on WP. I think it's mostly fear. They see Microsoft as a viable competitor, Apple seems to mostly focus on higher end hardware which has a higher profit margin (for Apple) but not the deepest market penetration due mostly to price. Most android phones sold are CHEAP android phones. That's why android leads the world in OS on phones. And Apple still enjoys nearly all of Googles services....

Vevo says you can watch Vevo vids on another app? Perhaps that's why no one used their app? I didn't. Someone show me the stats on the number of apps leaving each OS monthly or annually...show me a reason to be concerned about this.
I've visited sites where Android is discussed...they whine about it just like everyone here whines about WP. People I work with that have Androids' complain about their phones random behaviors, updates that cause annoying glitches, etc. ... again, show me why I should worry about an app that no one uses.

Honestly I'd prefer that companies focus on making a kick-ass web interface (which should be possible with HTML5). Then *all* platforms would be equal and it would simplify development as well. This whole issue of separate apps for separate platforms is kind of stupid actually.

Blame Microsoft I mean really what is there to be excited about with WP 99% are low level devices the rest are exclusive. Come this fall when nits upgrade time I'm not going yo settle for a low end middle range device

It's getting to the point that no matter how much I love windows phone, the support for Android and ios is undeniably beginning to be a more worthwhile product. I feel like I would be able to be more productive and keep pace with tech by switching to Android or ios (more Android then ios, I don't really like apple).

Idk I'm very curious to see if windows 10 is really going to make much difference at all or if it's just hype at this point.

I'm going to keep my Betamax (Lumia 1520) for as long as I can. I still think it's the best phone on the market. But the lack of movies (apps) will kill it despite its higher quality.

Unless there's a massive turnaround when 10 hits (highly affordable, top-quality phones with every feature and app one would want, plus a few exclusive ones you didn't know you wanted but will need after they're announced), this party feels like it's starting to wind down.

I reiterate: it's not apps of redundant services having a mobile page, that's missing. MSFT could easily "appify" those pages, as they essentially did in Win7. It's original content, that's missing. Even Kindle is crap on WP, and why is there no Xbox Books!? If I buy a toy for my kids, the companion app is never available on WP. My 8yr old daughter, who is much smarter than me, tells me to get a "real" smartphone. That's the next generation, and MSFT plays no role, because it is already known as "that shitty OS". Wake up, MSFT.

It's starting to feel like a hand full of core WP devs are the only thing standing between this platform surviving the next 2 years and Microsoft announcing the termination of their WP initiative... Once again... Really really hope I'm wrong (about to add a 735 as a 4th Lumia in my line up...)

I did not even consider App availability when I was looking into buying my first "Smart Phone." I always considered the vast majority of these apps as the lazy man's way of accesssing the relevant website concerned. What is so hard about going to www.vevo.com and saving it as a Favorite using the IE that works great on every WP that I have ever owned. I now have the cadillac of all phones in the Nokia 1520. Every single person that sees me using it marvels at the speed and productivity of that device. I use my phone mainly for listening to local music files (Xbox Music) and the outstanding camera abilities it gives me. Really the only apps I even give a crap about are weather radar (Aeroradar is awesome) and the high quality photo editors (there are several on WP) and lastly for communication (phone calls and texts). The other factor that lead me to buying into the Windows phone platform was the ease of being in the same ecosystem as my laptop (running W10) and my PC.

What is vevo ? Did anybody use it? Is it just another pointless app that has been removed from the store? I don't know anybody that used it even on android. In fact alot of my android friends never even heard of it. Alot of fuss over nothing cant miss what you never had. imo

Cycling is right, after you build the app, which takes time and requires the company's consent, someone still needs to update and maintain it. Microsoft can't do that for all the thousands of apps out there.

Long live the king,
Microsoft needs to get off their ass and hire engineers that can write software.
Stop dragging people along with the "Next Big Thing" eather shit or get off the pot!
Microsoft is still arrogant as ever, Microsoft listen to your supporters before you are nolonger relevant!!!!!!

If that were to happen Google would try to be the ' good guy ' and offer replacements for Microsoft services, Microsoft Office=> Google Docs, Skype=> Hangouts, Outlook=>Gmail etc. Not to mention Microsoft would look as if they are abandoning their users on other platforms and may tick some users off and in return they may end up losing customers, which is the last thing they want/need. On the other hand, those using Microsoft services and start to like them may consider a Windows Phone in the future since they correlate it to the (great) experience they had using Microsoft services. That's the smart move.